Giovanni Bilivert

Giovanni Bilivert painted the elegant, emotional storytelling of early Baroque Florence: tender scenes from the Bible and from Italian epic poetry, with graceful figures in shimmering silks and soft, warm colour. The story of Tobias and the archangel Raphael was one of his favourite subjects.

He was born in Maastricht in 1585 to a Delft goldsmith who worked for the Medici, and grew up in Florence. He trained in Siena and then in the Roman studio of Cigoli, joined the Florentine Accademia del Disegno in 1609 and worked for Grand Duke Cosimo II, including designs for pietra dura inlay. Late in life he lost his sight. His paintings are in the Palatine Gallery of the Palazzo Pitti, the Hermitage and the Belvedere in Vienna.

Angelica Hides from Ruggiero takes its story from Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso, and The Temptation of Charles and Ubalde from Tasso’s Jerusalem Delivered, both favourite sources for painters of his day.